Information for New Members of the Lima Gun Club

1. How does the club operate? - Members volunteer their time and expertise as needs are determined at monthly meetings held on every 2nd Wednesday. Bylaws provide direction for key rules and policies (see attached document).

2. Membership
a. New members - $50 due with application. Acceptance is voted by membership at next scheduled club meeting.
b. Renewals - $35 due by December 1st of renewing year.
c. Application/renewal Forms - classify areas where members wish to contribute their volunteer time, allow updates to mailing and phone lists, and record keeping of membership renewals.
d. Responsibilities - all members are expected to participate in club activities that raise operating funds, assist in cleaning and maintenance efforts, or other projects.
e. An adult individual may be a shooting guest of one or more members a maximum of 3 times in any 24-month period. Children of members are exempt.

3. Keys
a. Clubhouse - available for $1 deposit. Ask at a meeting.
b. Trap house - available for $1 deposit after checkout by Trap committee chair.

4. Elections
a. Starting at the October meeting a "nominating committee" is appointed to gather the names of individuals interested in running for election of the 4 club officers and 7 directors. The election is held by anonymous balloting by the members present at the regular December meeting.

5. Routine Events
a. December - Christmas party is held on the night of the December (election) meeting. The club provides refreshments. Festivities start 1 hour early at 7PM.
b. Euchre - Every Friday night at 7 PM. $3 entry fee includes coffee, donuts, and door prize.
c. Turkey Shoot - a fundraiser held in late September includes a raffle. Members are expected to provide the proceeds from the sale of at least 1 book of tickets.
d. Annual Steakroast

6. Clubhouse rules
a. Guns may not be cleaned in the clubroom unless part of an authorized training function and under close supervision of a designated safety officer.
b. All rifles and shotguns present in the clubhouse must have the action open at all times. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE PERMITTED.
c. The last member leaving the building must ensure that all appliances (stove, air conditioner, TV) lights, fans, are off, furnace thermostat set down to 50 degrees, doors and windows are closed and locked, the entrance door is locked.
d. Clubhouse Rental - the clubhouse calendar reserves rental dates. Rental payment and cleaning deposit should be delivered in advance to a club officer. The clubhouse renting party at their discretion may limit range use and clubhouse use by members.

7. Range Rules - General (all ranges and fields)
a. These Range Rules shall be conspicuously posted in the Club and a copy shall be supplied by the Secretary to all new members. It shall be the duty of all members to guide new members in the observance of these rules and warn violators. Intentional violations shall be considered sufficient cause for immediate expulsion from the range and from membership in the Club.

b. Due to Lima Gun Club's range design, safety considerations require that simultaneous use the rifle/pistol range and the trap fields is prohibited. League scheduled trap shoot events, and club scheduled practice sessions, that the club profits from, have priority over casual rifle/pistol range use. These schedules are published ahead of time in membership newsletters and noted on the clubhouse calendar. In other situations ranges are available to any members on a first come basis. If multiple parties arrive members are expected to time share range resources and negotiate in a cooperative and orderly fashion.

c. No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the range.

d. At no time may a firearm, loaded or unloaded, open or closed, be pointed in the direction of another person. Think Safety!

e. No aiming practice will be permitted except at the firing line with the gun aimed toward the targets. All muzzles must be over the firing line when firing or aiming. Firing around an object at the firing line is not permitted. When a firearm is on the firing line, its muzzle must be pointed down range at all times. Targets must be fully against the backstop when firing.

f. No firearm may be loaded with more than five (5) rounds.

g. "CEASE FIRE" may be announced at any time by anyone in proximity to the range. No person shall be allowed beyond the firing line without a CEASE FIRE condition in effect. The CEASE FIRE procedure for going down range is:
All shooters are to immediately stop shooting, open and empty chambers of their firearms, remove clips or loading devices, with slices back, cylinders or bolts open, lay their guns down with the muzzle pointed down range and the open chamber visible from behind the firing line and then step back away from the firing line. The cause of the CEASE FIRE may then be resolved, including going down range. After a CEASE FIRE interval commencement of firing is allowed only after asking "Firing Line All Ready?" and announcing "Commence Firing".

h. All persons in the range area must wear eye protection and ear protection while shooting is in progress. No firing without first checking with others as to their ear protection and eye protection.

i. At no time may a loaded gun be left unattended on the bench or on the firing line. No exception will be allowed. Check to make sure all guns are safe before re-casing them. (unattended means leaving the Firing Position).

j. It shall be the duty of each member to familiarize his/her guest with range safety rules and to directly supervise the shooting of that guest.

k. Persons under the age of 19 must be under the supervision of a responsible adult member (21 or older) while using the range.

l. All firing shall be done in such a manner that all shots will travel parallel to the ground into the backstop. Shoot only at the target on your corresponding firing point.

m. Please refrain from loud talk or other disturbing noises or actions while others are firing either for record or practice. Others are entitled to the same consideration you yourself would like to have.

n. Carry out what you bring in. Remove your targets. Remove your spent brass and shell casings. Trash barrels are provided.

o. SAFETY RULES must be enforced by the Range Officer or, if absent, by any Club member.

8. Rifle Range Rules (for members and their guests)

a. Rifles/shotguns must have the action open at all times except when on the firing line. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE PERMITTED.

b. When carrying to and from the firing line, all rifles must have the action open. All uncased rifles must have the barrel pointed up, except when on the firing line.

c. Unattended rifles at the firing line must be pointed down range, be unloaded and have the action open and visible from behind the firing line.

d. Do not shoot at the top of the backstops to avoid flying ricochets. Keep your targets low.

e. Do not shoot at the steel uprights or horizontal lumber hanging frame.

f. A donation box exists at the range. Members are encouraged to put in a buck or two each visit to defray the costs of target hanging materials and range maintenance.

9. Range Rules - Handgun specific (for members and their guests)

a. All handguns must be carried to and from the range in a case or properly worn holster. A properly worn holster must maintain the barrel in a vertical position (up or down) at ALL TIMES. Removing guns from the case or holster may only be done at the firing line.

b. When on the firing line all guns must point down range at all times - never toward ceiling - never left or right.

c. Fast and/or cross draw are not allowed. This includes from the holster, bench or other. No Action Pistol style shooting (two hand hold is acceptable).

d. When on the firing line keep actions open, clips out, cylinders open - except when in the act of firing.

e. Handgun shooters (except air gun) must possess a valid NYS pistol permit.

f. Never leave the firing line with an uncased or un-holstered gun.

g. A donation box exists at the range. Members are encouraged to put in a buck or two each visit to defray the costs of target hanging materials and range maintenance.

10. Trap Range Rules (for members and their guests)

a. Keep shotgun actions "open" and unloaded at all times except when on the range, at your station and just prior to shooting.

b. An orange flag on top of a trap house means it is being serviced. Do not load your gun.

c. Keep loaded guns pointed downrange away from others.

d. Load only one shell per target.

e. Ear and eye protection is required.

f. New members require an introduction and training for the trap house machinery before operating.

g. Only members qualified by the trap committee shall make adjustments or attempt to maintain the trap equipment. If malfunctions occur call for assistance and/or to report problems.

h. Record your name on the sign-in sheet inside the traphouse immediately upon beginning activity. Complete the sheet with your usage when finished. Fees are $3 per round of 25.